Indie Recordings is proud to announce the signing of RIBOZYME for the release of their new album, out on February the 10th in Europe and February the 14th in North America.

For over a decade RIBOZYME has been a connoisseur's choice and a front-runner for the diversity and integrity of Norwegian rock & metal. Ribozyme's solid approach to their work has been evident from day one. RIBOZYME has been compared to numerous giants of their genre: from Tool to Filter, from Nine Inch Nails to Sigur Rôs, although the distance to the above has never been greater.

With their new album, RIBOZYME once again continue to push boundaries and redefine the trio format, through a horizontal vision on songwriting and, in the words of lead singer and guitarist Kjartan Ericsson; "combining power, precision and melody in an unpretentious way.

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"Dark rock" act, JUNIUS, has announced plans for a full US co-headline tour with Atlanta's O'Brother (Triple Crown/Favorite Gentlemen). JUNIUS, who have been described by Rolling Stone as "a perfect hybrid of Neurosis and The Smiths," and "the music Radiohead fans wished Thom Yorke wrote after The Bends," by Decibel, are supporting, Reports From the Threshold of Death, which was released to rave reviews, in conjunction with the band's appearance on Enslaved's North American tour. Local bands will open each show.

British progressive metallers THRESHOLD have announced that their new album will be called "March of Progress" and is due for release through Nuclear Blast Records in 2012.

The provisional song titles on the new album are 'Ashes', 'Return of the Thought Police', 'Colophon', 'Staring at the Sun', 'Liberty Complacency Dependency', 'Divinity', 'The Hours' ,'Don't Look Down', 'That's Why we Came', 'The Rubicon' & 'Coda'.

"March of Progress" sees the return of original THRESHOLD vocalist Damian Wilson (HEADSPACE, STAR ONE) who rejoined the band in 2007 following the departure of Andrew 'Mac' McDermott, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The album is being produced at Thin Ice Studios and Eightspace Studio in the UK by Karl Groom and Richard West. THRESHOLD will perform a handful of pre-release shows in April 2012 to promote the album:

Goregrind overlords EXHUMED are pleased to announce four Brazilian shows this Winter with Aborted. This will mark the band's first time ever in the country. The short but epic run will commence on February 17, 2012 and hit Belo Horizonte, São Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre.

Comments vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey: "We are beyond psyched to head to Brazil for the first time. We've been getting letters and emails from folks down there for years and it is going to be awesome to finally be able to play for those maniacs south of the equator. I know they're ready for some serious gore fucking metal and we can't wait to deliver it to them!"

EXHUMED will be touring in support of All Guts, No Glory, issued earlier this year via Relapse Records. The band's first new record in almost eight years offers up 11 choice cuts of grinding death metal and has turned up on multiple Year End lists including Decibel, Pitchfork, NPR.org, MetalSucks and Skulls N Bones! Metal Underground praised the release saying: “EXHUMED are back, hungry, vicious, and unrelenting,” while Decibel Magazine noted: “Everything seems more fluid and powerful, though as vicious as it all is, the focus remains on the composition and how it smacks the listener between the eyes.” Revolver agreed: “… fans of dripping blood, gaping autopsies, and ravenous zombies will absolutely adore this record.” Added Aborted: "EXHUMED has not only strongly persisted over the last 20 years, but has also managed to simultaneously keep their musical integrity and brutal, gore-filled lyrics fully intact."

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With their brandnew record „Imaginaerum“, NIGHTWISH once again won the hearts of their fans. Despite tons of exalted and established artists, NIGHTWISH once again reached very good chart position everywhere. On top, they entered the charts of their homecountry Finland again on the pole position #1.

Virginia’s MUNICIPAL WASTE reports that the band has just completed work on their fifth studio album. Lead singer Tony Foresta is ready & willing to unveil the name of the new album & its guests:

“We're calling the record “The Fatal Feast” and are expecting it to come out early next year along with a healthy dose of touring. The record is also going to feature some guest spots from John Connelly [guitarist & vocalist for NUCLEAR ASSAULT], Steve Moore [who plays bass & synthesizers for ZOMBI], and [vocalist] Tim Barry [ex-AVAIL, TIM BARRY]. The Waste is really looking forward to providing you with the soundtrack to the end of the world in 2012. See you there!”

MUNICIPAL WASTE’s debut album for Nuclear Blast Records is slated for a Spring release; the band will also launch their world tour during that time.

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Germany’s HEAVEN SHALL BURN have announced a short, but sweet European tour in March with Unearth, Rise To Remain and Neaera. Additional local bands will be added to this amazing billing. After a highly successful co-headline tour with As I Lay Dying in November 2010 (which was completed by Suicide Silence) as well as unforgettable appearances on some of Europe’s biggest festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Rock am Ring/Rock im Park or Graspop Metal Meeting HEAVEN SHALL BURN are dying to get back on stage again for the following shows:

French metallers ETHS' third album will hit the stores on March 2nd (13th in North America), 2012 and the band aptly named it "III". Vocalist Candice comments on her recording sessions:

"Sensitivity, right tone, right grunt, breath, emotion, be exposed, introspection, re-do, re-do, tiredness, insomnia, re-do, feel emptiness, fall, get back up, get there, re-do, give everything, achieve the goal, just sing. The voice recordings can be such a pain but in the end the result is always worth it... This album kills."

Candice

ETHS just announced the first leg of their upcoming tour in the wake of "III". Support on most of the gigs will come from fellow label mates KELLS, who will release their new album "Anachromie" on January 20th.

New York, NY: 2012 will see the release of Enslaved, a brand new Soulfly album, which will be their eighth overall. While many bands barely make it to a third album, the Max Cavalera-led collective is still going strong two decades deep. 2012 also marks the band's 15th anniversary of making a tribally-influenced metallic racket and what better way to celebrate than with a new record? The album will be released via longtime label Roadrunner Records, which has been Soulfly's home for the course of its career. The label has also been Cavalera's home for the duration of his career, which began in the '80s as a member of Sepultura, who essentially rewrote the rules of heavy music when they arrived on the scene; Max continues to do the same today.

The song remains insane for Soulfly, as does the lineup. The powerhouse lineup features Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with Static-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass. The lineup is rounded out by drummer David Kinkade, a new school, extreme skinsman whose brutality behind the kit brings a new flavor to the band.

Enslaved was recorded at Tallcat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Zeuss, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as Shadows Fall, Hatebreed, The Red Chord and more. Cavalera also shared production duties.

As is customary with Soulfly, the band will introduce some new and unexpected elements into the mix, including a guest violinist. Soulfly also collaborates with two metal veterans: Dez Fafara of Devildriver and Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapitation. With Dez and Max sharing a longtime connection through the Roadrunner family, it was only a matter of time before Fafara guested on a Soulfly album. Meanwhile, Ryan said it was "an honor to receive a call from someone you had pictures of on your wall as a kid."

Cavalera also wrote a song "Revengeance" about his slain stepson Dana, whose death was the catalyst for the creation of Soulfly. He partners with his sons Igor and Richie on vocals, while his other son Zyon plays drums. It is the first time Max has performed with three of his sons.

The band tracked 14 songs, 11 of which will be on the record, with the other three being made available for the special edition. Track titles are as follows: "Resistance," "World Scum," "Intervention," "Gladiator," "Legions," "American Steel," "Redemption of Man By God," "Treachery," "Plata O Plomo," "Revengeance," "Chains," "Slave," "Bastards" and "Soulfly VIII." Please note this is not the final track sequencing.

The album is due out in March 13, 2012. It follows 2010's Omen.

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The Smoot family and Slave Pit Inc. released a statement regarding the official cause of death of Gwar guitarist Cory Smoot. Cory had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, and was discovered dead on the band's tour bus on Nov. 3rd of this year. He was 34.

Stated North Dakota coroner William Masselo, MD:
"We have finalized the autopsy report and death certificate. I have determined that Cory died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease."

The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus Maximus, and has announced no plans regarding a new GWAR-tarist.

Metal Blade and GWAR have since set-up the Smoot Family Foundation to raise funds for Cory's wife, Jaime, and their unborn child. Donations can be made HERE. Also, at The Canal Club in Richmond, VA on January 7th there will be a record release show (featuring Mensrea, Cannabis Corpse, DBX and more) for Cory's solo record, "When Worlds Collide", which he had completed working on just prior to his death. The album will be released early next year, with all proceeds going to the Smoot Family Fund.

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Australian metal heavy weights LORD have announced that they will be supporting Iced Earth for their two exclusive Australian debut shows in 2012.

Commented LORD bassist Andy Dowling, "After a full 12 months off the touring circuit, 2012 is shaping up to be one of our biggest years yet. We are extremely excited to be sharing the stage with Iced Earth, and it's just one of many exciting announcements we have in the pipeline for the new year."

LORD are currently writing/recording the follow up to 2009's critically acclaimed album "Set in Stone", due out in 2012. Along with the highly anticipated album, the band will be embarking on an extensive world tour, with dates in Australia and Europe already announced.

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Formed by Angra vocalist Edu Falaschi over a decade ago, Brazilian metal act ALMAH have transformed from simply a side-project of the top-tier power metal act into an expansive entity of its own volition, language and identity. AFM Records now confirms that Motion, ALMAH's third full-length, will be available to North American fans on January 17th, 2012.

ALMAH's first two studio albums -- Almah (2007) and Fragile Equality (2008) -- were accepted well both by fans and media alike. With Edu Falaschi being known for choosing excellent musicians and production crew for the creation of their releases, the lineup on Motion will not disappoint. Falaschi's Angra bandmate Felipe Andreoli joins on bass, as well as Berklee-graduated guitar wizard Marcelo Barbosa, powerhouse drummer Marcelo Moreira and a master of fast solos and gargantuan riffs, Paulo Schroeber.

The musicians tread into more modern territory while keeping ALMAH’s recognizable style intact on Motion. Recorded with 7-string guitars, tuned a half-step down (B flat), while the rhythm guitars were layered four times, the band has reached their optimal balance of heavy, modern metal and beautiful, catchy melodies. Edu Falaschi has already stated that this album is probably the best one in his whole discography. Motion was recorded at Norcal Studios in São Paulo, Brazil produced by Falaschi and Andreoli, and mixed and mastered at Split Second Sound Studios in Amsterdam by Jochem Jacobs (Textures). The cover artwork was created by Edu Falaschi himself with his iPhone, using some applications to create that motion effect, which was later edited by Felipe Andreoli.

Motion Track Listing:
1. Hypnotized
2. Living And Drifting
3. Days Of The New
4. Bullets On The Altar
5. Zombies Dictator
6. Trace Of Trait
7. Soul Alight
8. Late Night In ´85
9. Daydream Lucidity
10. When And Why

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Spanish Black metallers SPELLCRAFT have inked a deal with XTREEM MUSIC for the release of their sophomore album entitled "Yersinia Pestis" excepted for spring 2012.

Formed back in 1996 and actually sharing of 4 out of the 5 members of the current OUIJA line-up, SPELLCRAFT has been gaining a strong reputation within the Spanish Black Metal scene not only with their three demos between '97 & '07, but also with their 1st album "Stirpe Obscura" in 2008. Their high-class brand of Black with melodic Death touches influenced by bands like MORK GRYNING, early SATYRICON, DISSECTION, SACRAMENTUM is reaching its most supreme expression on this magnificent album of an astonishing production and outstanding compositions.

"Yersinis Pestis" is completely recorded and only a few details on the overall design are being finished until its release in spring 2012.

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Swedish death metallers Demonical have issued the following statement:

“We have hereby officially parted ways with drummer Ronnie Bergerståhl and replaced him with Fredrik Widigs. Fredrik has been our stand-in drummer during the past autumn, hence making him the obvious choice for the throne and full time position.

Besides that, we are also thrilled to announce that our session live-guitarist Pablo Magallanes has become an official member of Demonical.

We want to thank Ronnie for all the years in the band and wish him the best for the future!

We welcome Fredrik and Pablo into Demonical, with this new and strong we are more than ready for 2012 and everything it will bring.”

The ones involved have spoken:

Ronnie Bergerståhl:
“As most of you know by now, I decided to sit out the Demonical tour which took place in October/November. I thought about it for months before the tour started and in my heart I basically decided already then to quit the band. However, I gave it some time but now I have taken the last final decision: I will quit Demonical!

The main reason is that it is getting harder and harder to combine two touring bands like Demonical and Grave - to give them equal priority - and as Demonical will be doing a shit load of festivals and shows in 2012 and Grave will release a new album (with extended touring to follow) it will be impossible.

There is absolutely NO hard feelings between me and the guys in Demonical, we will still be doing lots of "hadderajjan" together after this, hehe…!!

I'm really excited to see who's going to take my place in the band but I know that they won't settle for anything or anyone but the best!”

Fredrik Widigs:
"It’s a great privilege for me to be a part of Demonical and after the much successful “Eastern Death Infernal tour 2011”, I'm very eager to continue to spread the Swedish Death Metal Darkness. The march for victory has only begun!"

Pablo Magallanes:
“It’s a great honor to officially be a part of Demonical and to be able to develop the death metal sound among and with friends and professional musicians.”

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Our fourth studio album "CIRCUS BLACK” is now ready. The initial release date (by Spinefarm Records/Universal Music Group) is 29th February 2012. The album is going to be released worldwide.

As announced before, vocalist Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius) and keyboardist Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, Dio,Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force) have contributed their talent on this album. Kotipelto sings lead vocal parts on “Cold Kiss” and Johansson plays a keyboard solo on “Crimson Flower”.

”Circus Black is the most impressive AD album so far. Musically it represents the most sophisticated and most symphonic edge of AD-music. There’s more diversity on this album than never before. This is the first time we used a real choir and we gathered some really excellent professional opera singers together to be able to achieve the best sounding choir possible. This choir was conducted by Mikko P. Mustonen from Pathos Music. He also arranged the choir and orchestral parts.

We managed once again to get some world-class guests on this album. So, the production is our biggest so far and the final polish on this album was given by Teropekka Virtanen (mixing engineer) and Mika Jussila (mastering engineer) at legendary Finnvox Studios in Finland.

The whole band did excellent job with recordings. It was really awesome, that Kasperi recovered from his hand injury just in time (only a couple of weeks before the mixing sessions started) and he was able to play guitar solos on this album. Even in the fall it seemed that I and Kimmo would have to play all guitar parts by ourselves. Like usual, allmusic is on this album is written by me and lyrics are written by Heidi”

– Tuomas/Amberian Dawn

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BASICK RECORDS is extremely happy to welcome two exciting new international acts to its ever expanding roster: French electro-metal producer THE ALGORITHM and Indian progressive metal band SKYHARBOR!
The signing of these two new acts further cements BASICK's reputation as a solid choice for some of the world's most progressive and forward thinking artists.

The brainchild of talented producer Rémi Gallego, THE ALGORITHM infuses modern metal breakdowns with a menagerie of electronic subgenres such as IDM, chiptune and breakcore to concoct his own potent style of fiercely heavy music.
After a successful premiere of his live show at this years Euroblast Festival, Rémi will now be focusing on playing more shows around Europe, including a BASICK showcase in London, scheduled for early next year.

THE ALGORITHM will release a new single ‘Tr0jans’ (which includes new versions of the tracks ‘Isometry’ and ‘Antikythera…’) and a new, as yet untitled album via BASICK in early 2012.
More details to follow.

Starting out as a simple bedroom studio project, guitarist Keshav Dhar has seen SKYHARBOR quickly evolve into one of India’s hottest metal prospects, with huge admiration coming in from some of the biggest names in metal worldwide.
An astonishing amount of buzz also surrounded the bands first ever performance at the Bacardi NH7 Festival in Pune, India earlier this month, where they played to over 1,000 people and were one of the weekend’s highlights.

The long awaited debut album from SKYHARBOR promises to be a landmark release for the Indian independent music scene, in no small part thanks to the incredible number of international guest appearances it will see, including the likes of Marty Friedman (ex Megadeth), Daniel Tompkins (ex TesseracT), Vishal J. Singh (Amogh Symphony) and Sunneith Revankar (Bhayanak Maut).

Cult US Death Metal band EXMORTIS have inked a deal with XTREEM MUSIC for the release of an EP in late december 2011 and a full length CD in 2012.

The mini CD titled "Resurrection... Book of the Dead" was a long project in the making but after much work was recorded by Brian Werking at Shockwerks Audio in Tampa, Florida during September/ October of 2011. This EP was then mixed and mastered by Javier Fernández at Room 101 Studios in Guadalajara (Spain) in October/ November of the same year.

If you remember EXMORTIS from the early days of Death Metal, then you will enjoy this classic recording set in modern times. The extreme brutality it presents is undoubtedly some of their best work to date and will again engrave itself with a strong hold in the Death Metal underground where they plan to stay.

EXMORTIS was originally inspired by such bands as Destruction, Kreator, Slayer, Possessed and the list goes on. If it's old then that's what EXMORTIS represents. Even to this day EXMORTIS is and will always be an underground sensation.

Songs included on this EP are the following:

1. Creation (intro)
2. Book of the Dead
3. The Slaughter Begins
4. And There was Pain
5. Deep Red
6. Parade of Chanting Ancients

The cover artwork for this CD was created by Eric Rot Engelmann and was colorized by Tinamarie Linares. The release date for this EP is scheduled for December 20th, 2011.

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Lonewolf has joined the Napalm ranks! The French power metallers will release their new album "Army of the Damned" in North America next spring. In addition, their classic longplayer "The Dark Crusade" will be re-released the very same month.
"The Wolf has joined the pack! We're proud and grateful to join forces with Napalm Records to release our new album 'Army of the Damned'. Our metal crusade continues. See you on tour! Hellbent on metal!"

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While IN FLAMES played two massive sold-out shows in their native Sweden their latest album ”Sounds Of A Playground Fading“ was certified gold in their home country! Right before entering the stage at Hovet in Stockholm the band was presented with the gold discs by Razzia Records who released the album in Sweden . Congratulations!

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Heavy metal veterans 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will be entering the studio to begin tracking their fifth full length album, set for release in 2012. The band will be working out of Vogville Studios and Profile Studios in Vancouver with engineer and producer Terry Sho Murray, who also worked on the band's last 7". 3 INCHES OF BLOOD's 2009 album, “Here Wait Thy Doom” showcased the band's distinct, traditional heavy metal sound. 3 INCHES OF BLOOD promises fans they will not have to wait long for the impressive planned follow up.

Guitarist Shane Clark comments: "We're in pre-production mode here in east van and we're writing our next blood soaked metal masterpiece!! We are keeping true metal alive, so fuck trends brothers and sisters!! Stay metal!!! You will hear from us very soon!!"